14th May 2021
Dear parents/ carers,
Plans for the summer term:
Along with most Headteachers across Essex, I attended a virtual meeting earlier this week, which involved Mike Gogarty, Public Health England and Clare Kershaw, Director of Education at Essex County Council.
During this meeting, we were given advice and guidance about schools moving forward during the remainder of the summer term, including the wearing of face coverings, bubble arrangements within the school plus sports days and performances.
If you were at my parent forum, or viewed the minutes, you will know that our plan, subject to the Governments roadmap out of lockdown, was to have sports morning/ afternoons and key stage summer performances. In fact, the scripts and music have already been purchased!
In order for this to happen, we would need to ‘burst’ our existing bubble arrangements and move from one year group bubble to two year groups per bubble, which was supported by our risk assessment and the information available at that time.
At the meeting we were advised that the number of cases in Essex had risen, and that we need to maintain our existing bubble arrangements. This is to ensure, that as the lockdown measures reduce outside of education settings, schools can remain open for all children. If a positive case did occur, the number of children needing to isolate and receive remote education would then be kept to a minimum.
As we have been told the number of positive cases in schools across Essex has risen, it is important that we maintain our one bubble classroom arrangements, along with staggered break and lunch times, as well as continuing with the wearing of face coverings for parents entering the school grounds, while of course, still maintaining social distancing.
We were additionally advised, that the added concern from ECC and PHE, is that many families will be enjoying the additional freedoms during the May/ June half term, and this could negatively impact on schools when we come back for the second half of the summer term.
All of the above means that we are not now able to plan for a sports morning/ afternoon or key stage productions this term. The individual class bubbles will remain in place moving forward this term.
I know many of you will be bitterly disappointed, as are we. The teachers had been busily considering the logistics of these events; the scripts and music have been purchased in preparation for the start of rehearsals this week too!
I am sorry that this will come as a blow to many of you.
I’m sure you will understand our disappointment in not being able to celebrate the summer term in a near as possible ‘normal’ school way. I have to follow direction from ECC and PHE to ensure our school remains open and children are able to attend school. Going against their guidance and advice is not an option for me. During this whole pandemic, the advice and guidance of ECC and PHE has been followed and I will continue to do this moving forward to ensure the safety of us all. Thank you as always for your understanding.
Please also find attached to this newsletter, a letter from Clare Kershaw, Director of Education, to parents and families.
Walk to School Week:
You may recall last week I mentioned we would be taking part in ‘Walk to school week’ next week. The nationwide event is organised by the walking charity, Living Streets and is designed to help pupils experience first-hand, the importance of walking to school.
The children will be given diaries next week by their teacher and we would ask, where possible, that you make arrangements so that your child/ren can travel actively to school next week. I know many of you do this already! Having an extra push will help reduce congestion and pollution around the school gates; in return, your child will earn special stickers and a badge as well as continuing with activities in school around healthy living.
Walking, wheeling, scooting and cycling all count!
If you live further away from school and need to drive, you can still take part; try parking the car ten minutes away and walking the rest of the journey 😉 Please click here for more information on Living Streets: https://www.livingstreets.org.uk/
Headteachers Awards:
I love giving out my Headteacher awards on a Friday, well done to the following children who have received my headteacher award today:
| Reception Class | Vinnie C |
| Year 1 | Ella-Rose P |
| Year 2 | Logan G |
| Year 3 | Harry M |
| Year 4 | Molly B |
| Year 5 | Harry H |
| Year 6 | Luke R |
Have a super weekend everyone,
With my continued best wishes,
Kim
Kim Hall
Headteacher
Leave A Comment